Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-15

sFOw the Money for the support OF
the Persian Government
Obtained.

Persia ia relatively rich, for she owes
nothing to bankers or bondholders
either at home or abroad. She has no
debt, and the Shah covers a snug sum
annually in the treasury as u reserve.
II has been sneeringly said by
the Russians, who wish to be-
little in order 10 weaken her, that
Persia has no national debt because she
has no credit. The truth OF this asser-
ton can only be proved when the Shah
attempts to raise n loan, which has
never yet been done by the Persian
Government. OF course, if more were
spent for internal improvement or if
there were less peculation, there might
be less reserve or larger revenue.
but the fact remains that while some
thing is done to promote material pro-
grcss something is still annually saved.
The revenues Of the Shah come from
many sources. The land, livestock,
customs, excise, and mines and fisheries
furnish the chief sources OF revenue.
/ he collection of some OF the taxes is
attended with considerable risk, and
results in not unfrequent riots and
bloodshed.
Regarding some Of his revenues the
Shah very wisely continues to follow
method common in Europe in former
sacs-that is, farming. BY farming the
pearl fisheries, for example, the Shah
nav receive less than If the tax on
them could be Justly collected and
turned over to his Government. But
as that is practically impossible the
Shah makes sure Of given sum on
which he can depend, and leaves tito the
agent who faIms them TO make his
profit from whatever surplus may ac-
crue. But while the Shah is adyan-
tagged by the system OF farming, the
people are much more heavily OPP
pressed. as they are in the hands of the
officer who farms that revenue. NOml-
nally be may keep to the letter OF the
Jaw in collecting only such ratio on the
products as the law prescrbes. But in
reality great abuses grow out OF the
creed of the farmer.
The turquoise mines are farmed.
They are less productive than formerly,
While the manufacture of excellent
spurious turquoiscs in Europe has
tended somewhat 10 lower the demand
for the genuine article. The difficulty
Of getting the stones is also excessive,
as the mines are growing deeper all the
time and the shaiisarc very dangerous.
Many are killed in the Persian tur-
uuoise mines, which are found in the
province OF Herman in the South, but
the best ones are mined IN khOrasSan
in the North.
The fisheries Of Persia are farmed.
They ere chiefly in the Caspian Sea
and in the mouth OF the rivers empty
ing into il, and consist chiefly of
salmon and sturgeon. The lockwood
in the forests adjoining that sea is also
famed. This has been n considerable
article OF commerce, but the supply Is
now falling Of.
The customs are iarmed AMI form a
very important source of revenue, not
vitLstanding that by the treaty OF Tur-
lomantchai with Russia all goods en-
tered from nations enjoying It's priyi-
lrocs underline " mOst-favOrcd nation
clause pay maximum duty OF per
ocnium. Turkey has an entirely diff
le.rnt treaty with Persia, which allows
tie two countries to claim I'D per
cent. duty. Abuses doubtless exist in
tie collection Of customs, especially IN
tie matter OF peculation. Bat the
wonder TO me is that under existing cir
Ccmstancts tie abuses are not greater
Land tax also forms a most important
source Of revenue.
The nomads Of Pcrsia, who number
nearly million, are taxed bya month
~ levy on their flocks, which is mode
rate and collected with regularity.
This tax, or pant OF if. is farmed.
Generally il is raised without difficulty,
except among the waIlikc tribes Of tine
fouthwest. Among them the tax
gntherer only ventures attended by "a
strong guard OF soldiers.
The Shah adds still further and very
materially to his revenues by the pres
ents he receives in coin from the high
dignitaries he visits from time to time.
and from the sale OF important
Offices 10 the highest bidder. Not
That he awards an office to ANY
one who overbids others, but to the
one who, OF several having ability,
adds to talents for the post the largest
pecuniary consideration. What these
Gums are can be only surmised from
general report but that large amounts
annually 90 into the Golfers OF the Shah
in this way is fact well assured in
deed it is practice that has existed in
Persia for ages.